Watercooler Chats, with Graham from Manifold
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Ever wondered what it really takes to become an expert? Malcolm Gladwell says it's 10,000 hours, but we think it's more about the small, overlooked moments that fill those hours.
Introducing our latest series, Watercooler Chats, where we peel back the curtain on office life with people who spend their days making the world a little more interesting. No fluff, just the real stories behind the titles.
Meet Graham, the man behind the smooth operation of Manifold, a community-driven coworking space located in Ngāmotu, New Plymouth.
When he's not making sure the coffee's strong and the loo is well-stocked, he's orchestrating the atmosphere of a fresh alternative to the traditional, uninspiring office space.
What does your family think your job is?
Well, my 6-year-old daughter thinks our 100+ members all work for me, so in her mind, I must own some sort of corporate behemoth. Doing what, though, I dunno.
What's the most bizarre task you've had to do in your role?
Probably feeling obligated to participate in a skinny dip at a Christmas Party in the spirit of “community building”.
If your job had a theme song, what would it be and why?
'Coffee' by Sylvan Esso. Because so much of what I do revolves around coffee - it also kinda reflects the vibe at Manifold.
What’s the most boring part of your job that you secretly enjoy?
Ensuring there is enough nicely packaged toilet paper in the bathrooms each day.
Tell us something surprising about your job.
I sometimes do things like organise surf sessions or put on gigs and get to call it work.
Describe your job in one sentence, then explain why that description is misleading.
I had to Google my job description - "Orchestrates the functionality and community dynamics of a coworking space." It makes me sound organised and a people person, two things I am actually not.
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What does your family think your job is?
My daughter swears I “sell sauce” and my husband insists I “just move boxes around.”